Northampton Fall A 2023

Inside the Davis Ballroom, practice tables were packed with solved puzzles, shared lubricants, and familiar faces comparing notes on techniques. Between scheduled flights, competitors gathered to trade tips, time each other during informal warmups, and follow along with every twist of the day. The bustling atmosphere proved why a local cubing competition serves as a social anchor for the region, bringing together enthusiasts to share a common passion for hands-on puzzle solving.

The single-day gathering on November 4, 2023, brought 51 competitors together in Northampton, Massachusetts, USA for Northampton Fall A 2023. Featuring six different events spanning 16 total rounds, the schedule offered a varied test across different mechanisms and formats. From traditional speedcubing to specialized geometric variants, participants engaged in a shared challenge across every round on the floor.

The spotlight in the classic Rubik's Cube division focused on Curtis Chai, who delivered a sharp 8.36 winning average in the final round of the 3x3x3 Cube to secure first place. Chai also picked up the best single of the event with a mark of 7.40. The 3x3 results at the top were decided by tiny margins, as Elijah Rain Phelps claimed second place with an 8.43 average and Margot Audero took third place with an 8.50 average out of the 48 competitors who entered the main event.

In the larger puzzles, Jonah Crosby topped the 4x4x4 Cube standings, producing a tournament-best single of 25.02 on the way to a winning average of 26.76. Audero earned second on the podium with a 36.11 average, while Phelps followed in third with 36.38 across the three rounds of play. Across all podium outcomes throughout the schedule, the United States accounted for 17 placements alongside one for China.

While top placements drew attention, much of the energy across Northampton Fall A 2023 came from personal milestones in the undercard. Zachary Van De Water took on six events and lowered his Megaminx personal best to 1:04.09, an improvement of 47.4 percent, while also securing sixth place in Skewb. Grayson Alvarez improved his 4x4x4 Cube best to 1:30.33, dropping 33.6 percent from his previous standard, and Ian Morales notched a 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 22.11, which was 30.3 percent faster than before. Meanwhile, Micah Smith knocked 33.4 percent off his Skewb mark to record an 8.71 personal best.

Other competitors took advantage of the friendly hall to attempt unfamiliar puzzles for the first time in official play. AJ Murphy tackled five events at Northampton Fall A 2023, putting up a first official Clock attempt of 31.25 while shaving 33.3 percent off their Square-1 mark to finish with 26.90. Enzo Tuzzolo posted a first Clock result of 16.52 and shaved 24.7 percent off his 4x4x4 Cube best down to 1:16.05. Oliver Stevens registered an initial Clock try of 13.52 alongside a 12.00 in the classic cube, while Ashwanth M. Aroon logged an initial Square-1 time of 28.32 and lowered his Skewb personal best to 7.18.

The side events provided strong variety throughout the afternoon. Saisabari Ramesh captured two titles, winning Megaminx with a 53.82 average ahead of Roy Lee at 54.00 and Chai at 57.87, before also winning Skewb with a 4.49 average. Phelps finished second in Skewb at 4.54, while Chai placed third with 4.70. Clock saw Phelps capture another victory with a 6.71 winning average, finishing ahead of Chai with 7.99 and Jacob Schwartz with 8.06.

Phelps completed an exceptional weekend by securing the Square-1 title, averaging 7.70 and setting the best single of the event at 6.59. Tina Xiangyan Jin took second place with an 11.01 average, while Aaron Jake Wong captured third with 11.72 across the three rounds. This WCA competition proved to be an efficient, well-run day of speed cubing, closing out Northampton Fall A 2023 with strong marks and warm farewells until the community meets again.